England Vs Australia 5th Test Match, Eng Gives 546 As Target

LONDON, PAKISTAN: Jonathan Trott became the 18th England batsman to hit a century on test debut, scoring 119 to help set Australia a world-record 546 runs to win the deciding fifth Ashes Test and the series.

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Australia, replying to England’s second innings 373-9 declared, made an assured start reaching 80-0 in the 20 overs before stumps, leaving a further 466 needed for an unlikely victory in the final two days.

Openers Simon Katich, 42 not out, and Shane Watson, on 31, showed the dry pitch puffing with dust can still produce runs. Only six wickets fell in the day, compared to 15 Friday.

“We can win even though it’s a massive target and history is against us, but it is too early to look that far ahead,” Australia’s Marcus North said. “There is a lot of cricket left to be played.

The Cape Town-born Trott, run out for 41 in the first innings, came in at 39-3 in the evening session and went on to put England on the verge of regaining the Ashes.

He batted for five hours 33 minutes and hit 12 fours to even upstage Andrew Flintoff in his final Test innings. Graeme Swann cracked a Test-best 63 from 55 balls. Trott faced 193 deliveries in an innings that was more calm and measured than spectacular.

“At the start of the game a win was the most important thing, and still is, but to have a personal achievement is an added bonus,” Trott said. “It’s something you work for. You work hard to contribute to a successful side and I like to think I have done that, and we can have a good day tomorrow.”

England needs to win to regain the Ashes after Australia levelled the series at 1-1 with an innings win in the fourth Test.

Australia’s prospects of holding out for a draw seem unlikely with the pitch encouraging sharp spin but offspinner Swann was wicket-less Saturday in his five overs.

The highest fourth-innings total to win a Test at The Oval is 263-9 by England against Australia 107 years ago, so the tourists will have to break the record if they are to keep the Ashes. The world-record chase anywhere is 418.

Australia’s most threatening bowler was North, the part-time offspinner who finished with a Test best 4-98.